CA125 test, reassurance needed

[Caerulea]

Hi all,

I posted a few weeks ago in a panic about some test results. My CRP was 42 & platelets 498. I was waiting on FIT test results. Testing was as a result of around 5 weeks of nightsweats.

So - the fit came back clear. GP put in for more tests Inc rheumatoid & ovarian cancer (ca125).

Results came back today. CRP is back down to 5. Platelets dropped but still at 469 everything else clear but for the ca125 which is at 39.

In the meantime the nightsweats have stopped (!?).

So he's urgently referring me for scans on my ovaries etc though he was at pains to point out he's not overly worried & would be blunt about it if he was.

I, however, am a lil worried. Not as much as before but still..

I'd really appreciate some input & thoughts please. I don't really have any symptoms to speak of but have always had appalling ovulation pain that lasts a few days & am no stranger to javalin arse either. Periods regular but heavy af & since have the copper coil last about 10 😭.

So please, panic or reassure me with your wisdom MN!

How old are you, OP? CA125 levels can be elevated with endometriosis, which could also be indicated by your ovulation pain and heavy and long periods.

CA125 can be elevated for several reasons including harmless cysts. It’s good your GP is looking for a clear picture and not going just on blood results.

I notice from your previous post that your CRP was higher and has come down - it was likely raised due to your cold so that’s reassuring.

@Tarttlet Ah I forgot to mention that, I'm 43.

@CloseThePackWithAClickClack Thank you. The Dr is fully confused by what's going on. I'm concerned that my platelets are still outside of normal combined with the ca125.

I sometimes get an elevated CA125 test (if and when they check it). It can be down to having a condition like endometriosis or adenomyosis (as I do), or even if you're on your period. 39 is only very slightly elavated.

A quick google search suggests platelets can take weeks to return to normal following an infection. I’d really assume it was the viral infection causing the elevation, which is only mild anyway.

I recently had a CA125 blood test that came back as 44, i was referred under the two week pathway for a pelvic scan and i have a giant ovarian cyst and a thickened womb lining but the consultant is 99% sure that it’s not cancer, he said for it to be cancer it would normally be in the hundreds or thousands.
Maybe you have a cyst or endometriosis can also cause an elevated CA125, i hope you dont have to wait too long for answers.

That ca125 is only very slightly raised. I have a ca125 of 70 with extreme pain at times and they assumed endo or similar, nothing has been found. If you have something sinister, the ca125 level goes to the hundreds.

Please don't google, I did and spent my 2 week wait sobbing at night because I thought I was going to die.

Ca125 can be raised, as others have said, for multiple reasons. Mine was because of a large (but normal) cyst. It caused me so much worry - for no good reason - same as you Onlycans!

Thanks for all your responses. The hospital called today & the soonest they could get me in is the 23rd December - merry bloody Christmas 🙄. Guess I should just be grateful it's this year & not next.

@OnlyCans I try to keep it limited with Google, my health anxiety goes bananas! I've learned a search on MN is far more useful for balanced info, good or bad.

@CloseThePackWithAClickClack presumably you mean viral infection? My white blood count is entirely normal so there's no gacky infection anywhere. Like I say, the GP can't make sense of me.

@Caerulea Are you having the scan on the 23rd? At least hopefully they will either not find anything or find something that is easily treatable like a cyst and then you can enjoy christmas 🤞🏻

@Chlobo89 Sorry yes, the scan is the 23rd. I nearly said after Christmas but the next appt was 8th Jan 😬.

Everything crossed for 23rd

Hi @Caerulea

I wrote a very similar post a few years ago! Get ready to be reassured 😊

So firstly, my consultant said that CA125 is a completely rubbish diagnostic test for pre-menopausal women. I had it done during my period and that was probably why it was raised - he said it's just a sign that your ovaries are grumpy, which can be caused by any number of things - a little cyst, a heavy period - he thinks my number is usually about that for 5 days of the month! And yours really isn't very much higher than normal.

I got retested a couple of months later (not during my period) and it was back at normal levels.

Try not to panic - the Christmas Eve Eve scan is rubbish but it sounds like they are really doing it to be cautious.

Hang in there (and I'm glad the night sweats have stopped!)

@BananasAboutBananas Thank you, I like your post very much :)

I'm glad the nightsweats have stopped too! Weirdly, the stopping coincided with a different brand of sertraline which I'm sure shouldn't be linked but interesting nonetheless.